An Easter family retreat in Virginia Beach, Virginia organized by the Washington Bedans. Our retreat will be led by Lito & Edith Urgino and Fr. Steve de Leon, pastor of Star of the Sea parish in Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach Weather Forecast, VA (23456)

• 12:00 p.m. – Noon arrival for service group
• [optional] Noon – Seven Last Words at Star of the Sea Catholic Church
• 3:00 p.m. – Check-in time for all attendees
• 4:00 p.m. – a warm welcome from Dondon Pejoro, president
• 4:15 p.m. – greetings from Lito Urgino
• 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – a talk by Fr. Steve de Leon, pastor Star of the Sea Catholic Church; Fr. Steve will hear confessions after his talk
• 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Theme: Each Home to “Being A True Domestic Church!“ by Lito Urgino
• 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – continuation of talks by Lito Urgino
• 8:30 p.m. – light snacks
• Please observe silence inside the house for Good Friday

April 7, Saturday

• 7:30 a.m. – Breakfast
• 8:00 a.m. – Retreat
• 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Break
• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Retreat
• 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. – Lunch (ordered food)
• 1:30 p.m. – afternoon family free time; suggested family activities:
  • tennis, volleyball or basketball at the Little Island Park
  • visit the Lotus Gardens within Little Island Park where a small lake provides water access for canoeing
  • visit the wildlife at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  • go biking or kayaking at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge; bikes can be rented here.
  • jet skiing at the ocean
• 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. – Dinner
• 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. – Prayer / Retreat
• 9:30 p.m. – Bonfire at the beach followed by evening fellowship; cocktails, wine and cheese at the poolside with soft music.

Note: [optional] One-on-one spiritual direction with Tito Lito (by appointment only; sign-up sheet will be available); also [optional] Saturday vigil at nearby church.

April 8, Sunday – Easter Sunday – “Happy Easter!”

• 7:30 a.m. – Breakfast
• 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – closing / fellowship
• 9:00 a.m. – depart for Easter mass at Star of the Sea Catholic Church
• 11:30 a.m. – buffet lunch / Chinese brunch
  
• 1:00 p.m. – Kids Easter egg hunt for the kids at the beach
• The rest of the time is a Free Family Time (Kids join Alex for fishing class at the Sandbridge pier)

April 9, Monday

• check-out time: 11:00 a.m.

• Linens & Towels are not provided. Please bring all linens including sheets, pillow cases, towels for each member of the family
• each family’s own supply of toilet paper and cups of uncooked rice
• each family should bring and donate Easter eggs containing candies; the kids will have a Sunday morning Easter egg hunting; candies should not contain nuts and/or soy
• food arrangements will be decided by all signed-up attendees

House Rules:

• During Saturday’s activities, please be prompt during meal times so that we can start the talks on time
• Observe silence inside the house from Friday 3:00 p.m. till Sunday midnight
• Upon completion of meal of snacks, place all food leftover in trash and utencils on the kitchen sink
• We will have signup sheets will be available at the main family area on Friday for the following:
  • one-on-one spiritual direction with Tito Lito
  • confessions
  • volunteers for kids committee – to help out with kids activity
  • volunteers for trash committee – in charge of cleanliness and putting out the trash; one person will be assign per day

*Lenten Regulations on Fast and Abstinence

• Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by all Catholics 14 years of age and older.
• Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 60 years of age. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs.